Hope College football shut out by Adrian College

The Hope College football team suffered its first shutout against a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association opponent in six years Saturday, losing to Adrian College 24-0. It was the league opener for both teams.

Albion was the last MIAA team to blank the Flying Dutchmen in 2005.

By Mark Jagord

Holland Sentinel

By Mark Jagord

Posted Sep. 29, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 29, 2012 at 1:49 AM

By Mark Jagord

Posted Sep. 29, 2012 at 12:01 AM
Updated Sep 29, 2012 at 1:49 AM

Adrian

It had been almost three decades since the last time the Adrian College football team shut out Hope College.

After scoring touchdowns on the ground in the final moments of each of the first three quarters, the Bulldogs cruised to a 24-0 Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association shutout win Saturday on homecoming weekend and avenged last year’s loss to the Flying Dutchmen.

“I couldn’t be more prouder of our guys,” Adrian coach Jim Deere said. “We had a great week of preparation, and that’s what it’s all about. It’s a great win on homecoming for people to see.

“It was a total team effort, from the coaching staff to the players to the equipment managers to the trainers. It’s everybody’s win — the catches that J-Hemm makes, the runs out of our running backs, the offensive line, the defense was stout, and special teams making plays, too.”

“Hats off to Adrian,” Kreps said. “We definitely dug ourselves a hole, but we’re not out of (the conference race) yet.”

Hope quarterback Michael Atwell was harassed all night by the Adrian defense and finished 13-of-30 passing for 159 yards and an interception.

Shawn Jackson was the leading ground gainer with 31 yards on 14 carries. Hope senior Kevin Kleine recorded a team-best 10 tackles from his defensive tackle spot. Hope’s defense was led by Adam Drooger with 12 tackles and an interception.

Adrian sophomore Dae’Von Robinson led the team with 84 yards on the ground and delivered a punishing 44-yard touchdown run for the game’s first points with 2:11 left in the first quarter.

Junior Kyle Smock carried the ball 11 times for 80 yards and scored on a 2-yard run with 59 seconds left until halftime to give Adrian a 14-0 lead.

Adrian rolled up 289 rushing yards compared to just 12 for Hope. Copacia finished the game going 11-of-22 through the air. Sophomore Aaron Tenney got the start under center and completed 4-of-7 passes for 51 yards.